WHAKAOHO 007: Anna Domino - East And West (1984)

 

WHAKAOHO 007

Anna Domino  -  East And West (1984)

When Max sent me Anna Domino's debut project "East and West" in 2019 (might have been 2020) he said he was sure it would be my thing. I put it on and yes. It was definitely my thing. 

The whole album breathes a sort of acceptance of life as well as a wistful hope of things better to come. When I listen to this album I  instantly feel like I should be at a cafe somewhere rooking out the window, reviewing art or finding tickets to a contemporary piece of french theatre. It is notable that, for a short while, it was the soundtrack to my 30-ish minute walk into Wellington city from my flat. Where I would walk to the pace of "Trust, In Love" the 5th track.

Every song on here is made up of stacks and stacks of loops. Every bass note in the songs feels as though it has been intentionally punched in one by one. The drum programming is spread across 4 bars always staying consistent yet sporatic. Every now and then, a guitar lick or piano sequence will return from a few bars before, but they feel like they always come one bar later than you expect them to. It's magic. It is actually magic to me.

It isn't very long, so every song has it's own place here, but "Trust, In Love", "With The Day Comes The Dawn", and "Everyday I Don't" are songs I always come back to. By far my favourite song is "Land Of My Dreams" which is a romantic, wistful track with a groove and hook that is so easy to recall from memory I am hearing it in my head right now. It makes me very happy.

Overall, a great project that can suit any surroundings you spin it in.

- R

Favourite songs:

"Land Of My Dreams"

"Everyday I Don't"

"Trust In Love"

Listen:

https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.bandcamp.com/album/east-and-west

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUNYAJrvpRo&list=PL1uNaBQCwwSUOIMS-l_bhsqR1bsDeFtAn

WHAKAOHO 002: Mirrorring - Foreign Body (2012)

 

WHAKAOHO 002

Mirrorring - Foreign Body (2012)

It has been a while since I have come across an ambient album that pushes it's way to the top of my favourites. It is no surprise that this album was made in part by Liz Harris, who I would consider one of the finest musicians to ever touch the genre. I initially came across this album in Feburary in 2023 and have thrown it on repeatedly whenever I've needed it.

Mirrorring is a duo made up of Liz Harris from Grouper and Jessy Fortino from Tiny Vipers. The latter of which I was not aware of before listening to this album. It has an element of folk music and jangly guitars that accompany the drones we would come to expect from an album like this very nicely. The use of vocals and lyrics stand alongside the ambience and neither take away from any of the song as a whole.

Layered, textured and easily kept me in tranquil state for it's full length.

"Mirror of Our Sleeping" stands out as my favourite, because of the strong build and emotional intensity of the song.

- R

"Rising light amongst the trees,

Metal shows amongst the clove,

Turn the sail towards the emptiness,

Orphan hollows and never close"

Favourite songs:

"Mirror of Our Sleeping" 

"Silent from Above"

"Drowning the Call"

Listen:

https://mirrorring.bandcamp.com/album/foreign-body

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRraLwpE79I